Topsham, Maine – September 29, 2025** –
In the wake of conservative firebrand Charlie Kirk's shocking assassination earlier this month, a provocative bumper sticker mocking the tragedy has ignited a firestorm of controversy, with social media sleuths claiming to have unmasked its owner as a local LGBTQ activist and business owner.
The sticker, emblazoned with the phrase "Make Assassinations Great Again" – a dark parody of Donald Trump's iconiTc "Make America Great Again" slogan – was first shared widely on X (formerly Twitter) by Andrew Kolvet, executive producer of *The Charlie Kirk Show* and a spokesman for Turning Point USA (TPUSA). Kolvet posted a photo of the decal affixed to a red vehicle, calling it "sick" and tagging it as evidence of escalating leftist rhetoric in the days following Kirk's fatal shooting on September 10 during a speaking event at Utah Valley University. Kolvet's post quickly amassed thousands of shares and comments, amplifying calls for accountability amid a polarized national mood still reeling from the 31-year-old Kirk's death.
The incident has drawn parallels to other instances of inflammatory messaging spotted nationwide, including similar stickers defacing Republican campaign signs in Tucson, Arizona. Enter Nick Sortor, a conservative commentator with over a million followers on X, who on Sunday night dropped what he billed as an "exclusive" bombshell: the vehicle's owner is Susanna DeSilva, a 32-year-old from Topsham, Maine, who now identifies as Ray DeSilva. In a lengthy thread, Sortor alleged DeSilva – described by him as a "radical LGBTQ activist" born female – co-owns the Fishnet Cafe, a quaint seafood spot on Bailey Island, with her wife, Ashley DeSilva.
"I've forwarded this to DHS, who confirmed to me they've launched an investigation into DeSilva," Sortor wrote, framing the decal as a veiled threat against "patriots." He punctuated the thread with images purportedly linking the vehicle to DeSilva's restaurant, vowing that "we'll no longer stand idly by while radical leftists call to KILL patriots in our country."
The claims have spread like wildfire across right-leaning online circles, with users decrying the sticker as incitement to violence and demanding swift federal action. "This crosses every line – it's not satire, it's a threat," one respondent posted, echoing a broader sentiment that the post-Kirk climate has emboldened extremists on the left. Others have piled on, labeling DeSilva's alleged activism as emblematic of a "deranged" progressive fringe.
Public records and local reporting paint a more subdued picture of the DeSilvas. Ashley and Ray DeSilva, residents of Topsham, purchased the Fishnet Cafe in January 2025 from longtime owner Joan Ouellette, with plans to revive it as a hub for "New England scratch cooking" using fresh, local ingredients. The couple – who both have ties to the hospitality industry – aimed to reopen in mid-May, offering rotating dinner menus featuring dishes like prime rib and Maine blueberry pies alongside savory options such as fish pies. Ray DeSilva has been vocal in LGBTQ advocacy circles, though details of specific activism remain sparse in public profiles. The cafe, located on the scenic Harpswell Peninsula, caters to tourists and locals alike, emphasizing community and family-friendly vibes – a stark contrast to the incendiary image now circulating online. Neither the DeSilvas nor representatives from Fishnet Cafe responded to requests for comment by press time.
Attempts to verify the vehicle's registration as belonging to DeSilva were inconclusive, as Maine's DMV does not publicly disclose such information without a court order. As for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) probe, Sortor's assertion has fueled speculation but lacks independent corroboration. DHS spokespeople did not immediately respond to inquiries, and no official statements or filings confirm an active investigation into DeSilva as of Monday evening. Legal experts note that while provocative speech enjoys First Amendment protections, true threats – defined by the Supreme Court in *Brandenburg v. Ohio* (1969) as intent to incite imminent lawless action – could trigger scrutiny under federal hate crime or domestic terrorism statutes.
"Bumper stickers toe a fine line," said one constitutional scholar reached for comment. "Context matters, especially post-assassination."
The episode underscores the raw nerves exposed by Kirk's killing, which authorities have preliminarily tied to a lone gunman with anti-conservative motives. Kirk, a co-founder of TPUSA and host of a syndicated radio show reaching millions, was hailed by allies as a generational voice for young Republicans. His death prompted vigils, conspiracy theories, and vows of retaliation from across the political spectrum. For now, the spotlight on Bailey Island has turned the sleepy cafe into an unintended flashpoint. As Sortor's thread racks up views, one thing is clear: in America's divided heartland, even a sticker can spark a national inferno. Whether it leads to charges, closures, or just more heated tweets remains to be seen.
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